It is by now an accepted fact of life that the Internet is having some sort of impact upon the political process...after all, if it wasn't, would we even be here?
But we've all wondered exactly how much impact; and now the good folks at the Pew Research Center have taken the time and trouble to do some survey work that seeks to answer that very question
The logical approach would be to "walk through" the data (which is, frankly, good news for Obama) and see what they have to say about it...but let's take a different approach today.
Let's instead look at the data and ask ourselves: who aren't we reaching, why, and what implications might those answers have going forward-and downticket?`
One day your website is yours, and the next day it is someone else's. Organizations, businesses and regular people are at the mercy of a confusing deregulated system.
A little over a week ago the Speak Out California website suddenly disappeared, and viewers instead saw a website full of advertisements.
The AP calls the new contract proposal from the studios to the WGA a sweetened offer. The United Hollywood blog says otherwise.
That big, amazing proposal that the companies hinted to Nikki Finke was coming? Well, it came.
Turns out their exciting, groundbreaking proposal is... a residual rollback. And not just any rollback, one of the biggest in the history of the Guild. Then, stunningly, the companies have the balls to say their plan gives us more compensation. Well, I'm sorry, but If you take away a dollar and give me a nickel, the nickel ain't a raise. Somewhere, Nick Counter's first-grade math teacher is embarrassed [...]
When an hourlong episode of television is streamed on the Internet, writers would get a flat $250 payment for one year of reuse. That's $250 as opposed to, for example, $20,000 per episode when it's reused on network television. They proposed nothing new on downloads, it's still the DVD formula for those (ie. two-thirds of a penny for an iTunes download). For theatrical movies, they're offering exactly $0.00 on streaming. Oh, and they want to be able to define any content they like as "promotional" -- for which they would pay zero dollars. Even if they stream an entire film or tv episode, and even if they sell ads on it, they can call that promotional and pay us nothing.
Looks to me like the AMPTP responded to the positive public opinion generated by the writers by trying to get public opinion on their side over their "generous offer," and subsequently call the writers "whiners" or something when they refuse to accept it. With the information out now, that's not likely to happen.
On St. Patrick's Day 2005, then Congressman Rob Portman was tapped by President George Bush as U.S. Trade Envoy. The progressive blogosphere paid attention within two hours and the very next day, Swing State Project publisher DavidNYC wrote the following on the front page of Daily Kos:
If last week was defined by Katie Merrill catapulting a primary campaign against Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, this was the week that Tauscher tried in vain to distance herself from Joe Lieberman.
(Forgive my not-too-subtle Avenue Q reference. - promoted by SFBrianCL)
The SF Chronicle has it on good authority that the Internet is, in fact, relevant.
"Now we can press a button and instantly send a message to 50,000, 100,000 people,'' said Bob Mulholland, senior adviser to Phil Angelides, the Democratic state treasurer who is challenging Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November.
Mulholland said the use of technology is particularly important in this race, which he expects will draw national attention from both parties. Mulholland hopes Angelides can capitalize on the deep dissatisfaction with President Bush, for whom Schwarzenegger campaigned.
"I think this race will create a big buzz on the Internet,'' Mulholland said.
While one of the goals of a candidate's Web site is to attract volunteers and to cement support among the electorate, soliciting contributions online also is a crucial component. Special interest groups, such as those focused on taxes, the environment and immigration, have Web sites and e-mail lists that they hope will influence the outcome of an election. Blogs -- short for Web logs, which are journals and newsletters -- also are spreading political information.
***
"We're looking forward to using technology to connect voters not only to the campaign but to each other,'' said Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger's re-election bid. Soderlund said the Internet is being used to recruit and organize volunteers, solicit donations and provide a one-stop venue to view -- and hear -- the governor's campaign platform. The site includes a blog and slideshows. There are plans to include podcasts and special ring tones for cell phones that Schwarzenegger supporters can download.(SF Chronicle 6/19/06)
Oooh! I wanna get me one of those Schwarzenegger ring tones! That'll be killer, man, I mean we'll go back to our gated community and rock "I will crush those girly man teachers" on our cellys. Dude, That will be sweet!
Ok, now that I'm back from Newport Beach, I will give them credit for talking to people on both sides, more than the San Diego U-T did last April on their report on blogging. Dan Wood's blog A Progressive Alamedan was featured on the front page of the Chronicle.
All in all, the article doesn't have any real revelations, but it's an interesting little read.
(I know, not strictly Califorinia politics, but please consider this. - promoted by SFBrianCL)
Congress is currently considering a bill allowing ISPs to favor certain uses of bandwidth over others. In otherwords, the ISPs want to end Net Neutrality.
Net Neutrality is vital to a free Internet and the growing use of the Internet as a political organizing tool. Please go to Moveon.org's Net Neutrality Site, and consider signing their petition.
